Tweet
Source: http://www.lufkindailynews.com/hp/co...demic_flu.html
Pandemic preparation: Angelina County & Cities Health District creates Web site to educate community about chance of a future global disaster
By STEVEN ALFORD
The Lufkin Daily News
Monday, May 12, 2008
A future global disaster. Not a matter of if, but when. Are you prepared?
These are the words that greet a visitor to LufkinPanFlu.com, a Web site effort by the Angelina County & Cities Health District to educate the public about the possibility of a future killer.
The pandemic flu has been a topic of discussion for years. Since the Spanish Flu influenza epidemic of 1918, health officials have been preparing for the next great wave of disease. The deadly virus killed over 500,000 Americans and more than 40 million people worldwide, the site says.
"I used to say if, but now I say when," says Meredith Stanford, public health emergency preparedness coordinator for the ACCHD. "We don't know when, but it will be here."
Pandemic flu is a virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person, says the site. Last year the ACCHD ran a billboard campaign to promote the Web site and now health officials are advertising again to remind people that there is still a threat looming.
"The Avian Flu is increasing around the world in birds and has expanded its host range to include cats, tigers, leopards and some marine mammals," says a Power Point presentation by health district officials.
"The death rate for humans is over 50 percent. In March of 2007, 281 humans were infected with 169 deaths reported."
The ongoing bug has taken a back seat to more topical events, but isn't going away, says Stanford.
"It's taken a back burner to other political issues, definitely, but the concern is still there and we are still on top of things," Stanford says.
According to the World Health Organization, a pandemic could have a possible global reach within weeks. Since early warning signs in developing countries may be subpar, officials recommend being prepared before something of that magnitude hits stateside.
On the informative site, the health district gives step-by-step ways to prepare for the worst.
"Usual services may be interrupted; hospitals, physicians offices, banks, stores, city and government offices," says the site, which includes lists of what to store.
"Stock a 14 day supply of food and water. Take common sense steps to limit the spread of germs, even when you are not sick. Make sure your family's immunizations are up-to-date." The site illustrates what steps can be taken to avoid the office or how to care for your children if schools are closed.
"Ask your employer what they have done to prepare, find out if you can work from home. Closures may be mandatory, so plan home learning and recreational activities," says the site.
The ACCHD has brought together county officials, city officials, law enforcement, doctors and faith-based groups, all in the hope of educating and preparing for a pandemic.
"We're doing the best we can with the information we've got," says Stanford. "Through our work with the city and the county, we feel that we are very prepared."
And while health officials are fighting the virus, some poorer countries have been accused of holding strains of the bird flu hostage, refusing to give larger nations access for fear of being excluded from an expensive cure.
"Will developing countries band together to try to ensure their people have access to a bird flu vaccine that could potentially save hundreds of millions in the event of a pandemic?" asks an article at www.iol.co.za, one of the largest news sources in Africa. "Indonesia, currently alone in flexing its muscle, has been accused by some experts of holding hostage a virus that could be the key to survival during a human flu pandemic."
As the pandemic drama unfolds, the best thing to do is to stay aware of what's going on.
"Knowing the facts is the best preparation," says the Lufkin health district's site.
For more information, visit www.LufkinPanFlu.com and www.pandemic.gov, or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hotline at (800) CDC-INFO.
Pandemic preparation: Angelina County & Cities Health District creates Web site to educate community about chance of a future global disaster
By STEVEN ALFORD
The Lufkin Daily News
Monday, May 12, 2008
A future global disaster. Not a matter of if, but when. Are you prepared?
These are the words that greet a visitor to LufkinPanFlu.com, a Web site effort by the Angelina County & Cities Health District to educate the public about the possibility of a future killer.
The pandemic flu has been a topic of discussion for years. Since the Spanish Flu influenza epidemic of 1918, health officials have been preparing for the next great wave of disease. The deadly virus killed over 500,000 Americans and more than 40 million people worldwide, the site says.
"I used to say if, but now I say when," says Meredith Stanford, public health emergency preparedness coordinator for the ACCHD. "We don't know when, but it will be here."
Pandemic flu is a virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person, says the site. Last year the ACCHD ran a billboard campaign to promote the Web site and now health officials are advertising again to remind people that there is still a threat looming.
"The Avian Flu is increasing around the world in birds and has expanded its host range to include cats, tigers, leopards and some marine mammals," says a Power Point presentation by health district officials.
"The death rate for humans is over 50 percent. In March of 2007, 281 humans were infected with 169 deaths reported."
The ongoing bug has taken a back seat to more topical events, but isn't going away, says Stanford.
"It's taken a back burner to other political issues, definitely, but the concern is still there and we are still on top of things," Stanford says.
According to the World Health Organization, a pandemic could have a possible global reach within weeks. Since early warning signs in developing countries may be subpar, officials recommend being prepared before something of that magnitude hits stateside.
On the informative site, the health district gives step-by-step ways to prepare for the worst.
"Usual services may be interrupted; hospitals, physicians offices, banks, stores, city and government offices," says the site, which includes lists of what to store.
"Stock a 14 day supply of food and water. Take common sense steps to limit the spread of germs, even when you are not sick. Make sure your family's immunizations are up-to-date." The site illustrates what steps can be taken to avoid the office or how to care for your children if schools are closed.
"Ask your employer what they have done to prepare, find out if you can work from home. Closures may be mandatory, so plan home learning and recreational activities," says the site.
The ACCHD has brought together county officials, city officials, law enforcement, doctors and faith-based groups, all in the hope of educating and preparing for a pandemic.
"We're doing the best we can with the information we've got," says Stanford. "Through our work with the city and the county, we feel that we are very prepared."
And while health officials are fighting the virus, some poorer countries have been accused of holding strains of the bird flu hostage, refusing to give larger nations access for fear of being excluded from an expensive cure.
"Will developing countries band together to try to ensure their people have access to a bird flu vaccine that could potentially save hundreds of millions in the event of a pandemic?" asks an article at www.iol.co.za, one of the largest news sources in Africa. "Indonesia, currently alone in flexing its muscle, has been accused by some experts of holding hostage a virus that could be the key to survival during a human flu pandemic."
As the pandemic drama unfolds, the best thing to do is to stay aware of what's going on.
"Knowing the facts is the best preparation," says the Lufkin health district's site.
For more information, visit www.LufkinPanFlu.com and www.pandemic.gov, or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hotline at (800) CDC-INFO.